Breckenridge Ullr Fest Kicked Off Today

Breckenridge's Biggest Party Of The Year Is January 6-11

This weeklong celebration of Ullr (pronounced Ooh-ler), the mythical Norse God of Snow, brings the legendary Main Street Parade, live entertainment and bar series, a Nordic event, Ullympics and an ice skating party to Breckenridge.

For more information on a last minute trip to Ullr Fest, or to plan for next year cal-l Saunders Travel at: 800-936-5573.

2007 Ullr Parade – The results are in and the winning Ullr Parade floats are:

• First Place – Ullr’s Shack (Shredware)
• Second Place – Alpine Hair (Ullr gets a massage)
• Third Place – Ullr is Cooler (Sean Travis Organization)

Thank you to all of this year’s float partcipants!

History

In Norse mythology, Ullr was the winter god. He was the son of Sif and the stepson of Thor, the "God of Thunder." Ullr loved the cold, and delighted in traveling over the country on his skis or skates. He also delighted in the chase, and pursued his game through the Northern Forests.

He was so well skilled in the use of the bow and could go so fast on his skis that in these arts no one could best him. Each winter he covered the earth with snow to protect it from harm during the winter. It has been said that Ullr enjoyed the cold weather and loved traveling throughout the land, gliding along on his great skis, for pleasure and hunting.

One of his travels found him in Breckenridge, Colorado. Breckenridge seemed a likely place for Ullr to settle down, since he wasn’t looking to return to Norway any time soon. Ullr fit right in and took to the mountains. And every year, Ullr blesses Breckenridge with some of the finest snow in the world.

To repay Ullr for his gift of snow, we here in Breckenridge hold a Festival to honor the God of Winter. We call this little celebration Ullr Festival. This fantastic party all started back in 1963 when a few of the local’s heard that Ullr was in town. Well, they wanted to let him know how much Breck appreciated Ullr’s gift of snow, so they went to the Town Council and lobbied to start…‘Ullr Dag’ (Ullr Day in English). The first few years of the event were hailed with locals honoring Ullr with gold coins, parties, skiing, parties, and oh – don’t forget the parties.

As the years went on, traditions were formed such as the Ullr Ball, the Ullr Bonfire, the Ullr Parade, Snow Sculpting, Ullr King and Queen, the Ullympics and the dating game. Some traditions have stayed, such as snow sculpting, which has become its own event now called the International Snow Sculpture Championships. Other traditions have gone by the wayside.

From fake currency to burning old skis in the bonfire, Ullr Fest has always been about fun and partying…and Breckenridge knows how to hold a “killer party, dude.” Just ask any of the locals.